James "Jim" Robert Strickland

James Robert “Jim” Strickland

March 22, 1926 – April 6, 2024

Jim passed away very peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the age of 98. Jim was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Elizabeth Jane Strickland, and his eldest stepson Keith (Holly). Jim is survived by his son James Strickland (Lynne), wife Teresa Pieper Strickland, grand-daughters Meghan (Trey) and Nicole (Andrew), stepson Michael Courtemanche (Chris), grandchildren Jason, Tara, Daina, Sarah and Matt and their families.

Jim lived a full and adventurous life. Born in Windsor, Ontario, Jim joined the Canadian Army in 1944, serving in the last years of WWII. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario and enjoying languages and theater production, Jim then purchased a one-way ticket to Europe and spent two years back-packing and working his way through France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Jim’s love of languages continued throughout his life. Entering the Roman Catholic Congregation of St. Basil upon his return, Jim served the church through education, becoming a teacher at St. Michael’s College School in Toronto.

Jim left the Basilian order to marry Elizabeth (Betty), joining her and her sons Keith and Mike. Moving to California, they welcomed their son James. Returning to Brampton, Ontario, Jim became a high school teacher in the Toronto area until retirement. One of Jim’s enduring legacies from this time is his decade long but successful effort to bring the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program to public high schools in Ontario. As Head of Languages, Jim’s passion for teaching French extended into his retirement as he continued to mark IB French exams from around the world. Equally memorable was Jim’s enduring love of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “Le Petit Prince”, a core fixture to the stories he’d regale about his students and his time as their teacher.

After his wife’s passing, Jim moved to Carleton Place, Ontario in 2000, joining his son James and young family who knew him as Pop-pop. In between his travels all over the world, from China to Colombia to Danube cruises, Jim became a neighbourhood fixture, hosting street parties, wine tastings, and annual Christmas parties with his son and family. Neighbours would regularly see Jim and his dogs Barney, then Toby, as he greeted all with a smile and chat.

Jim would meet his current wife Teresa on a bucket-list trip to see the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany. Married in December 2012, Jim and Teresa split their time between California and Carleton Place until he was no longer able to travel. One of Jim’s last big trips included visiting James and his family in Belgium during their NATO posting. James is forever grateful for the memory of leading the Canadian Remembrance Day services in Passchendaele and being able to present Jim with the Canadian flag at the closing of the service.

Jim moved to The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre in May of 2023 and our deepest thanks go to the caring, attentive, and just wonderful PSW’s, nurses and doctors there who made Jim’s last time with us so peaceful and loved.

Visitation will be held at Alan R. Barker Funeral Home, 19 McArthur Avenue, Carleton Place on Friday, April 12th from 5-8 pm, with a Legion Tribute at 7 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, April 13th at 11am at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Carleton Place followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.  Interment will be with his fellow Veterans at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider enjoying a glass of wine and contributing memorial donations to one of Jim’s favourite organizations such as the Roy Brown Society, your local Legion, Canada Blood Services, the Salvation Army or simply a charity of your choice.

Travel, learn languages, love and live life.

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